Hand covering with magnetic securing mechanism

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of a glove attachment system for retaining gloves comprises a glove with an integrated magnet portion. The glove has a liner portion, an outer portion, and a magnet portion. The magnet portion is attached between the liner portion and the outer portion. The glove, with the integrated magnet allows the glove to attach to an analogous glove, or an object attracted to a magnetic field. This allows the gloves to be maintained in pairs while stored or not in use. Another embodiment may include an attachment device with a connection portion and a clip portion. The connection portion may magnetically interact with the glove&#39;s magnet portion to retain the glove to the attachment device. The clip portion leads from the connection portion and facilitates the joining of the attachment device to an object, such as a strap, allowing the glove to be maintained to the object.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to the field of hand coverings and a hand covering securing mechanism.

People wear hand coverings, generally referred as gloves or mittens, for many reasons. Gloves provide protection from the cold weather, and protect the users's hands in the work environment from sharp objects, harsh chemicals, or other matter that may damage a person's hands. Additionally, gloves can offer a competitive advantage in sporting competition, such as baseball and golf, by providing better grip and absorbing vibrations. However, the benefits and protection that gloves offer are utilized on a temporary basis and often-sporadic basis. Eventually the user will remove the glove to use their bare hand when greater dexterity is required or when the need for hand protection is over. When the gloves are stored they are often placed in an inconvenient spot that is not suitable for sporadic use. Likewise, if the gloves are stored loosely in a pocket, to be used on short notice, they are prone to falling out and becoming lost. Furthermore, gloves are generally purchased and used in pairs and when un-securely stored for convenience one glove may become separated or lost, rendering the pair useless.

Others inventors have attempted to solve this problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,373 to Taylor, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,167 to Wagner, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,505 B1 to Bradley et al. disclose a glove attachment device that utilizes a hook and loop fastener mechanism for securing gloves. However, there are limitations to these inventions. First, these inventions do not have a dedicated glove element. As a result, when a user chooses a glove there is a possibility that the glove will not properly secure to the mechanism. The glove's hook or loops may be too small or large to interlock with the hook or loops of the attachment mechanism. Additionally, the hook and loop interaction may not be strong enough to support the weight of a particular glove chosen by the user. This could result in the glove falling off the mechanism and becoming lost, defeating the purpose of the attachment mechanism. Additionally, apart from the attachment mechanism there are few objects and locations where a glove, which has a hook and loop mechanism, will be able to bind. Most household objects, vehicles, and other objects do not possess hook and loop attachment devices unless installed by the user. However, it is not reasonable to install such attachment devices on every potential target.

Another invention uses magnets in a glove to act as a securing mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,199 B1 to O'Dea et al. discloses a work glove with a magnet component for the purpose of securing small work pieces, such as nails and screws. However, such a bulky work glove, with only the capability of binding small objects, would be unable to support the glove's entire weight at its magnet site when secured to an attachment device or to the corresponding glove's magnet site.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiments of a glove attachment system having both a glove with an integrated magnet and an attachment mechanism. The glove has a liner portion, an outer portion, and a magnet portion. The magnet portion is attached between the liner portion and the outer portion. The attachment device has a connection portion and a clip portion. The connection portion has the purpose of attaching to the glove with the integrated magnet. The clip portion leads from the connection portion and allows the glove and attachment device mechanism to be secured to a belt, strap, or pocket for the purpose of securing gloves during periods of non-use. This embodiment provide the advantages of allowing a user to secure gloves together in pairs, to secure each glove to a surface capable of forming a magnetic interaction with the glove magnet, and allows a user to attach a glove to a vast array of objects using the attachment device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

All of the following figures depict a single hand covering, however any embodiment may be of a hand covering for a right hand, left hand, or both hands. Additionally, although only mitten embodiments with a single finger cavity are shown, any embodiment may be a glove with multiple finger cavities.

FIG. 1 a shows an anterior view of an embodiment of a hand covering with a secured magnet portion.

FIG. 1 b shows a profile view of an embodiment of a hand covering where a magnet portion is located between two layers of a hand covering.

FIG. 2 a shows an anterior view of an embodiment of a hand covering where a magnet portion is retained within a pocket portion.

FIG. 2 b shows a profile view of an embodiment of a hand covering where a magnet portion is retained within a pocket.

FIG. 3 a shows an anterior view of an attachment device.

FIG. 3 b shows a profile view of an attachment device.

FIG. 4 a shows an anterior view of a hand covering secured by an attachment device, and the attachment device's being clipped to an object.

FIG. 4 b shows a profile view of a hand covering secured by an attachment device, and the attachment device's being clipped to an object.

FIG. 5 shows corresponding gloves attached at their respective magnet sites.

FIG. 6 shows an anterior view of an embodiment of a hand covering incorporating multiple magnets.

FIG. 7 shows an anterior view of an embodiment of a two hand coverings, each incorporating a hook and loop element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hand Covering with Incorporated Magnet:

One embodiment of a hand covering is shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b. This embodiment incorporates a magnet accompanying a conventional hand covering. The hand covering may take the form of a traditional glove body or a traditional mitten body. The terms glove body and mitten body may be used interchangeably with hand covering to describe any embodiment and maintain the same meaning.

This hand covering has inner liner portion 10, which may be a stand alone layer, or the hand covering may also include outer portion 11. Each of inner liner portion 10 and outer portion 11 are structured as a conventional hand covering, such as a glove or mitten. Inner liner portion 10 is formed to allow a user's hand to enter inner liner portion 10 through opening 14. Inner liner portion 10 has palm portion 15 extending from opening 14 and shaped to hold a users palm. Continuing from palm portion 15 are thumb portion 16 and finger portion 17. Thumb portion 16 and finger portion 17 situated to fit a user's thumb and fingers, respectively. Finger portion 17 extending opposite opening 14, and thumb portion 16 extending from palm portion 15, between opening 14 and finger portion 17. Finger portion 17 may be a single compartment or may be split into different compartments to enclose multiple fingers. Alternatively, palm portion 15, finger portion 17, and thumb portion 16 may be a single compartment enclosing the user's entire hand.

Outer portion 11 is formulated in the same fashion, and with the same features, as inner liner portion 10, described above. Additionally, outer portion 11 fits over the corresponding portions of inner liner portion 10. Inner liner portion 10 and outer portion 11 may be secured to each other, from at least one point on the hand covering, by being sewn together, fused together, or secured together by other means. Conversely, inner liner portion 10 and outer portion 11 may freely associated with each other, and not interconnect, allowing inner liner portion 10 and outer portion 11 to be easily separated.

Furthermore, this embodiment includes magnet portion 12, which may be a single magnet or a plurality of magnets. Magnet portion 12 may be attached to a single layer, either inner liner portion 10, outer portion 11, or any intermediate layer that may be included. Additionally, magnet portion 12, may also be attached to multiple layers, such as attaching magnet portion 12 between the outer surface of liner portion 10 and the inside surface of outer portion 11. Furthermore, in different embodiments, magnet portion 12 may be attached at any location of the hand covering, including the anterior or posterior of any of palm portion 15, thumb portion 16, or finger portion 17. For example, in instances where the hand covering will be used to hold or grip objects, placing magnet portion 12 on the posterior side of the hand covering may be preferable. Additionally, in any embodiment multiple magnets may be incorporated to further strengthen the connection between the hand covering and its target site.

Magnet portion 12 may be attached to the hand covering by attachment portion 13, which may be a thread or any other fiber-like material, wound around or through magnet portion 12 and the respective hand covering portion. Alternatively, attachment portion 13 may be glue, rubber cement, or any other type of adhesive that is capable of attaching magnet portion 12 to the hand covering portion.

The hand covering, along with the integrated magnet, has an advantage of allowing multiple hand coverings to attach to each other. This facilitates easier storage and discovery of a pair of gloves, as opposed to having to discover two separate unconnected gloves. Furthermore, each hand covering may attach to any object capable of forming a magnetic interaction with the magnet incorporated within the hand covering. This allows for significantly more opportunities for binding than a hook and loop fastener mechanism. In the case of a hook and loop fastener, which are not readily available in the user's environment, the complementary hook or loop connector has to be deliberately placed in the location where he user desires to connect the hand covering. In contrast, potential magnetic interactions are constantly available in the user's environment. For example, cabinets, equipment, appliances, and other apparatuses found in the home, workplace, or elsewhere are made of materials capable of magnetically attaching to the magnet incorporated hand covering. Consequently, an embodiment utilizing a magnet portion will increase the usefulness of a hand covering.

Hand Covering with Pocket Receptacle for Magnet:

Another embodiment of a hand covering is shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. This embodiment incorporates the same hand covering configuration as any of the prior embodiment, having at least one glove layer with opening 14, palm portion 15, thumb portion 16, and finger portion 17. Additionally, this embodiment of a hand covering has pocket 20 to hold magnet portion 22 in conjunction with the hand covering. Magnet portion 22 being either a single magnet or a plurality of magnets. Pocket 20 may be formed by securing front portion 23, around a portion of front portion 23's periphery, to the hand covering itself. Alternatively, pocket 20 may be formed by securing front portion 23, around its periphery, to back portion 24, where back portion 24 is then secured to the hand covering. In either case, pocket 20 may be positioned on the backside, front side, or any other portion of the hand covering. A portion of front portion 23's periphery is left unsecured to allow access of magnet portion 22 in or out of pocket 20. Flap portion 25, which brings together may be permanently secured to hand covering once a magnet is located within pocket 20. Alternatively, flap portion 25 may be releasably connected to hand covering by seal portion 26. Seal portion 26 may be a hook and loop fastener, buttons, snaps, or any other detachable connections. Additionally, an embodiment utilizing back portion 24 may have a permanent attachment between the hand covering facing surface of back portion 24 and the hand covering. Alternatively, the hand covering facing surface of back portion 24 may be detachably secured to the hand covering by releasable connection 27. Releasable connection 27 may be a hook and loop fastener, buttons, snaps, or any other detachable connection, where one element of releasable connection 27 is secured to the hand covering facing surface of back portion 27 and the complimentary element of releasable connection 27 is secured to a site on the hand covering.

An advantage of an embodiment utilizing pocket 20 is that magnet portion 22 can easily be removed from pocket 20. The user may simply open up seal portion 26 and remove magnet portion 22 contained within pocket 20. A user may desire the option of removing magnet portion 22 in different circumstances. There are instances where the user may favor a lightweight hand covering over the ability to secure to each other or another source, which may be achieved by removing magnet portion 22. Additionally, the user may wear the hand covering and engage in an activity for which the magnetic field of magnet portion 22 may interfere. Again, in this situation the ability to remove magnet portion 22 from the hand covering could be desirable.

An attachment device may be included:

Additionally, any embodiment may also include an attachment clip, as shown in FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 4 a, and 4 b. The attachment clip has attachment portion 30, which may be a magnet in the traditional sense, or a ferrous material or object. Attachment portion 30 may also include a housing portion surrounding the periphery and possibly the posterior portion of the magnet or ferrous material. Attachment portion 30 leads to curve portion 32. Curve portion 32 may lead from the posterior side of attachment portion 30 or from the perimeter of attachment portion 30, leaving the anterior surface free to attach to the hand covering. From attachment portion 30, curve portion 32 continues behind attachment portion 30, and then curves downwardly, continuing to support portion 34. Support portion 34 continues downwardly away from curve portion 32, and terminating either behind or below attachment portion 30. Space 36, created in the space between attachment portion 30, curve portion 32, and support portion 34 is large enough to allow a material or object, such as a belt/strap/pocket 40, or band to encompass space 36. Alternatively, instead of curve portion 32 and support portion 34, attachment portion 30 may be secured to a spring-loaded clip, a carabineer clip, or similar means for attaching attachment portion 30 to a material or object.

In an embodiment including an attachment clip, the hand covering associated magnet portion 12 or 22, interacting with attachment portion 30 of the attachment device, creates magnetic interaction 42. Magnetic interaction 42 is a strong enough magnetic interaction that once the user secures the magnetic hand covering to attachment portion 30, in the absence of significant forces, the hand covering should remain in an approximately static position, relative to attachment portion 30, until the user detaches the hand covering.

Including an attachment clip with the hand covering allows the user to attach the hand covering to a greater number of locations. An attachment clip can be secured such objects as a user's belt, a golf bag, a pocket, or other items that otherwise would not be magnetically attracted to the hand covering.

Possible Hand Covering Variations:

In any of the embodiments, the hand covering, including the liner portion, outer portions, pocket components, may be made out of a variety of different materials. These materials may include, but are not limited to, cotton, fleece, nylon, leather, or any material used to enhance gripping, water resistance, and warmth. Furthermore, any embodiment, or any component of an embodiment, may be made of a plurality of material. For example, inner layer 10 may have an inner surface of cotton and an outer surface of nylon, and outer layer 11 may be made of both leather and a gripping material. Also, as mentioned, finger portion 17 may be a single compartment, to create a traditional mitten. Alternatively, finger portion 17 may be a multiple compartment, to create a glove. Additionally, each embodiment may come in a variety of sizes to fit a wide range of users' hands, and may come in oversized versions so that the user can wear a separate glove, such as a golf glove, underneath the hand covering. Any embodiment may also include elastic wrist portion 19, which is an integrated elastic band that loops around the width of the glove, between opening 14 and palm portion 15. This feature gives the user additional support when wearing the hand covering. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, any embodiment may include multiple magnet components of magnet portion 12 or 22, which may increase the hand covering ability to secure to a target site and give the hand covering greater versatility.

Any embodiment may also include hook and loop fastener element 70, as shown in FIG. 7. Where one element of a hook and loop fastener is secured to the outer layer of the hand covering, and the opposing hook and loop element 71 is secured to the outer layer of the matching hand covering. The hook and loop fastener element may be secured by sewing, or otherwise adhering the element to the outermost hand covering layer of the embodiment. When element 70 and 71 physically interact they become reversibly connected, allowing the user to separate the elements when desired. The hook and loop element gives the hand covering additional resourcefulness by allowing the gloves to be secured together using the hook and loop fastener, while also utilizing the hand covering's magnetic component.

Furthermore, in any embodiment magnet portion 12 or 22 may be either an object that produces a magnetic field, or any kind of ferromagnetic material, such as iron, cobalt, or nickel, which are attracted to a magnetic field. Any magnet of magnet portion 12 or 22 may be in a variety of shapes, including circular/cylindrical, having a first and second surface, or a polyhedron shape. Also, any magnet of magnet portion 12 or 22 may also include a hole, or multiple holes, in the body of the magnet. This will assist in sewing or attaching the magnet to a glove layer, by allowing a thread to be sewn through the middle of the magnet and around the magnet's periphery. Magnet portion 12 or 22, along with its complimentary magnet or ferromagnetic material, creates magnetic interaction 42 as depicted in FIG. 5. Magnetic interaction 42 is a strong enough magnetic interaction that once the user secures the magnetic hand covering to its intended target site, in the absence of significant forces, the hand covering should remain in an approximately static position, relative to the target site, until the user detaches the hand covering. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand covering comprising: (a) a glove body with at least one glove layer; (b) a magnet portion comprising at least one magnet; (c) the magnet secured to at least one glove layer; (d) the magnet portion capable of forming a magnetic interaction with a target site; (e) the magnetic interaction is of sufficient strength to maintain the hand covering in an approximately static position.
 2. The hand covering of claim 1, further comprising an attachment device: (a) the attachment device having an attachment portion and a clip portion attached to the attachment portion; (b) the attachment portion's anterior surface includes a magnet.
 3. The hand covering of claim 1, wherein the magnet portion is located on the glove body's posterior side.
 4. The hand covering of claim 1, wherein the glove body has at least two glove layers.
 5. The hand covering of claim 4, wherein the magnet is secured to at least a second glove layer.
 6. A hand covering comprising: (a) a glove body; (b) at least one pocket secured to the glove body; (c) each pocket includes an enclosure space; (d) each pocket having a top surface and a bottom surface secured together to form the enclosure space; (e) a magnet portion comprising at least one magnet; (f) each of the magnets held within any of the enclosure spaces; (g) the magnet portion capable of forming a magnetic interaction with a target site; (h) the magnetic interaction is of sufficient strength to maintain the hand covering in an approximately static position.
 7. The hand covering of claim 6, further comprising an attachment device: (a) the attachment device having an attachment portion and a clip portion attached to the attachment portion; (b) the attachment portion's anterior surface includes a magnet.
 8. The hand covering of claim 6, wherein the pocket is secured to the glove body's posterior.
 9. The hand covering of claim 6, wherein the pocket is releasably secured to the glove body.
 10. A hand covering and attachment device for securing a hand covering comprising: (a) an attachment device having an attachment portion and a clip portion attached to the attachment portion; (b) the attachment portion's anterior surface includes an attachment magnet; (c) a hand covering with at least one glove layer, and incorporating at least one glove magnet; (d) any of the glove magnets maintained near at least one of the glove layers; (e) the attachment magnet and the glove magnets capable of forming a magnetic interaction, and the magnetic interaction is of sufficient strength to maintain the hand covering in an approximately static position.
 11. The attachment device and hand covering of claim 10, wherein any of the attachment magnet or the glove magnets are created from a ferromagnetic material.
 12. The hand covering of claim 10, further comprising a hook and loop fastener element, where the hook and loop fastener element is secured to a glove layer. 